A look at Queens Park Rangers F.C. through the eyes of the fans - follow us on twitter @loftyheights70, @LoftyQPR and @qprleeroy

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

They Think It's All Over.... Not Just Yet...

QPR 1-1 Hull

The Promotion Champagne was once again put on ice yesterday as QPR were held at home by a determined Hull City at Loftus Road.

There were all sort of perms and if's and buts before the game, but overall, it was quite simple. QPR win and they go up and as Champions. But it was not to be as yet another late goal from Norwich at home to Derby, gave the Canaries the win that will take it into another week. Rangers, with a 6 point lead over 3rd, 5 over second, are all but there of course and just one point is needed to rubber stamp the title. But a few weeks ago, it looked like the R's would cross the finish line like a Formula One car, but instead are crossing like a winkle barge drifting by Southend Pier....

Earlier in the day, a what is, much divided gang these days, headed to the upstairs balcony in the Springbok for pre match drinks and chats. But as mentioned before, the regulations meant that the balcony was closed at 2pm, so instead of standing in what was a sweatbox, we made our way to the blue and white bar, where we were able to stand and soak up the sunshine whilst having a refreshing pint.

Onto the game and there were early half chances for both sides, but in the 9th minute, Loftus Road went literally beserk - Taarabt's clever ball set Routledge speeding ahead of the Hull defence and the winger cracked a right foot drive past the keeper and into the net. It was just what the expectant R's fans wanted and maybe settled the early nerves a bit. The rest of the first half was all Rangers with Heidar Helguson heading over and also forcing a fine save from Duke, and Clint Hill seeing an effort scrambled off the goal-line.

Hull, who don't forget, boast one of the best away records in the league and had everything to play for to get into a play off position, had to go for it and get back into the game - and they certainly did that. The Tigers closed Rangers down well in midfield and the chances were certainly afew as R's fans watched the clock tick down.

On 55 minutes, Taarabt sent a free kick just over, before Fitz Hall came to the R's rescue with a superb block tackle on Matt Fryat as the Hull striker was about to let fly. But the danger signs were certainly there for the R's. Taarabt again had a chance to seal it, but his powerful effort flew just wide.

Instead, Rangers were stunned with nine minutes remaining when substitute Amoo latched on to a hopeful ball over the top and crashed a superb 20-yarder past Kenny to level the scores. QPR substitute Patrick Agyemang did have a late chance to hit what would have been a glorious winner, but he overhit a lob when well placed to score, before Alejandro Faurlin's left-foot free-kick was quite superbly pushed away by Duke.

The final whistle then went and the R's fans poured onto the pitch thinking that a point was enough to secure our return to the Premier League. But the news soon started filtering through of Norwich's late, late winner and as mentioned, we are all but promoted, but nothing will now be confirmed until next week.

Man of the Match - again, probably due to us being a tad deflated, there was no discussion after the game, so will go with my own personal choice this time, which was Fitz Hall.

As we descended on the British Queen after the game and still in the sunshine, it was obvious that many R's fans had arranged to stay out and party. But the best way I could summarise the feeling around Shepherds Bush after the result, is to state how our own Corporate Hoop described the events...

'It was like, pulling a bird with DD breasts, only to later find that'.... well, I will leave the rest to your imagination....